M.C. Beaton

Advantages: Light-hearted, humorous
Disadvantages: The story is a little disjointed

...Introduction I just cannot resist a book by M C Beaton, particularly after having read a series of quite 'heavy' books that required a lot of concentration. One thing I know I will get from Beaton's books is a relaxing, humorous read, which needs little concentration and sometimes that is all I want. The author has written two main series of books; one featuring P C Hamish Macbeth, the other features Agatha Raisin, a retired PR executive who manages to fall over murder victims at every turning. For some reason, Beaton's books are far more popular in the US than they are in the UK, even though the Hamish Macbeth series, for which she is probably best known, was televised in the UK in the 1990s and starred Robert Carlyle. The story Hamish Macbeth, the local constable for the village of Loch Dubh and environs, is faced with the possibility... Read review

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Advantages: enjoyable
Disadvantages: none

...I have found another excellent series of crime stories to read.These are books by M C Beaton and it is the Agatha Raisin series.She is the main character of the book and this is the first book which introduces the scene. The author tells us that Agatha Raisin retired from her job and she was in her mid fifties. She had a hankering to return back to the Cotswolds to live after last being there when she was a child and had a holiday there and she always wanted to go back there.So she brought a cottage down there and it was in a place called Carsley.We are gradually inntroduced to the characters James Lacey who was the retired colonel who takes Agatha's adoration and could get rather jealous at times. Sir Charles Fraith who had a couple flings with Agatha and also she gave him a key to her cottage. Her cleaner Dora Simpson who was always... Read review

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Advantages: Fun and easy to read
Disadvantages: Plot is weaker compared to others in the series

...detective agency. Before she manages to solve the crime though, several more people will die. And Agatha somehow manages to get herself abducted by a dodgy career criminal...Will she find the murderer before it is too late? And will she eventually be able to win James back into her life? One thing about the Agatha Raisin series is that I know I will have an enjoyable read. Having just worked my way through a book that was particularly difficult to read, this was just what I wanted, so I was delighted to find this title in my library. M C Beaton is probably better known as the author of the Hamish Macbeth series, but this series, about an ex-PR executive turned private investigator is just as entertaining. Characterisation is not M C Beaton's strongpoint. She has made more of an effort with Agatha than she has with her other characters; Agatha... Read review

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